The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-28

reach the St Johns or the marshes to the west
of the creek. she would have TO trust to chance
And was not that running to certain destruc-
toni
During the next day or two zermah, on think
ing matters over, saw that no help could oe
hoped from Texar's slaves. They were for the
most part half british negroes of forbidden ap-
pearance. The Spaniard did not keep them
chained, bat they had not more liberty than II
he had With plenty to eat grown on the 1slano,
and addicted TO strong drink. which Squamoo
was not at all stngy in giving them, and special,
iy kept for defending the blockhouse, they nao
interest in changing their existence Tor
another. The slave question debated few
miles from Black creek had no interest," ior
them. To gain their freedoml Why's AND
their existence and Souambo did not lli-treat
them, although he would have smasneo tue
head of the first who ADVISED them 10
mutiny. They never dreamt of sucn a tning.
Thew were indeed brutes inferior to the hounds
prowling around the palisade. And without ex-
aggeration it could be said that the hounds ex-
celled them in intelligence, for they Knew All
the ms and outs of the creek, and swan It's
multiple passes, running from lslet to lslet,
guided by marvellous instinct which never led
them astray. Often their bark would be heard
along the left bank of the river, and before
night they would come back to the block-house
all by themselves. No boat could enter Black
creek without being at once discovered by these
formidable guardians. Except Squampo and
Texar no one would dare to leave the fortress
without running the risk of being devoured by
these savage Carib dogs
v
watched, when she she could expect
help from those who guarded her. 1t might be
thought that she gave up all thought OF escape IN
despair. But she did not. Help might come
from outside and in that it would come
from James Burbank, if he was free to act. or
from Mars when Mars learned how his wife had
disappeared. Failing these she must depend on
herself for the child's safety. And she would
be equal to the task
Isolated in this lagoon she saw herself sur
rounded only by british men. Sometimes she
hat na of
young. looked at her with pity. Was there any
hope in that2 Could she trust him to tell her
the way to Candles Bay, and held her to es-
cape to Castle Houseg 1t was doubtful. And
Squambo had evidently noticed that the slave
was taking an interest in her, for now ne was
kept away, and Zermah met him no more In ner
walks about the enclosure.
Several days passed and there was no change
in the circumstances. From morning till night
Zermah and by were at liberty to move apont
they chose. When night came, although
Squambo did not lock them in their room, yet
he did not allow them to leave the central re-
doubt. He never spoke to them, ana German
had given up all attempts to question him. NOT
for a moment did he seem to leave the Island.
She felt that his atch over them was unceaslng.
And she employed herself in looking after the
child. who constantly asked for its mother.
''She will come!" Zermah would reply. Il have
had news of her. Your father will come too, my
dear, and with Miss Alice"
And when she had said this she knew not
what else to imagine; and then she did her best
to amuse the child who showed more sense than
could be expected at her age.
The 4th 9TH and 9th of March went by. Al
though Zermah listened for some distant detona-
ton announce the presence of the Federal
1otla on the waters of the St. john no SOUND
reached her. All was silence at Black creek IL
was not reasonable to suppose that Florida did
not yet belong to the soldiers of the North.
And this increased the half-breed anxiety to
the utmost Failing James Burbank, she must
trust to Gilbert and Mars. And what was very
strange was that the SpanIard had not once
shown himself in the blockhouse either In the
day or the night. At least Zermah saw nothing
to make her think 80. And she scarcely slept,
passing hey long hours Of insomnia in listening
always in vain.
What could she do if Texar came to Black
creek2 Would he listen to her prayers or her
threatsl Was not the Spaniard's presence more
to be feared than mis- absencef
1t was the night of the 9th OF March. and
about IL o'clock. For the thousandth time Ter
nah thinking over these things. as little
Dy Quietly slept. The room which served them
for cell was in deep darkness. No sound was
heard without except the whistliDg OF the
winds along the crumbling panks OF the block
house.
Suddenly she heard some one walking into the
central redoubt. At first she supposed it was
the Indian going to his room opposite hers
after making his usual round to see that all
SAFE
voices. She glided to the door. and placed her
ear close to it, and listened She recognized
Squamb o's voice. and almost Immediately after
ward Texars.
A shudder seized her. What did the Spaniard
want at this hour? Was it some scheme
against her and the child9 Were they going to
take them from their room, carry them to some
more unknown retreat, more impenetrable than
this of Black creek9 In a moment all these sup
positions presented themselves. Then her energy
took the upper hand and she leant against the
door and listened
Nothing new?' said Texar.
Nothing, master" said Squambo.
"And Zermah?"
81 refused to answer her questions"
Have any attempts been made to reach them
from Candles Ray?"
YES but none have succeeded"
From this reply Zermah learnt that people
were searching for them. Who could they be2
How do you known
Il have been several times to the river bank"
said the Indian. And day or two ago
saw a boat laying off the creek. The two men
in her landed of the islands by the
bank"
.'Who were these two men?
James Burbank and Walter Stannard."
Zermah could hardly restrain her emotion.
James Burbank and Walter Stannard
And so the defenders of Castle House had not
persisted in the attack on the plantation. And
If they had begun to search, it was because they
knew that she and the child had been carried
off. And if they knew that it must be because
Mrs. Burbank and Alice told them So that
they alive and they must have got back to
Castle House after hearing her last shout for
help against Texar. James Burbank thus knew
what happened. He knew the scoundrels
name Perhaps he even suspected where he
had hidden his victims He might even reach
them!
This chain Of thought linked itself together
instantly in Zermahs mind. A great hope took
possession of her-a hope that vanished immedi
ately when she heard the Spaniard answer:
'.Yesl Let them search, and they will never
find them In few days we need have no fear
of James Burbank"
What these words meant Zermah could not
divine; but coming from the man whom Jack
sonville obeyed, they were formidable menace
And now, Squambo, want you for an hour"
said the Spaniard
Fright"
.'Follow me-"
A moment afterward they entered the Indians
room.
What were they doing there? Was it
secret that Zermah ought to know? In her po-
sition she should neglect nothing that might be
of use to her.
Her room door, as we know, WAS not locked
during the night. The precaution would have
been useless the redoubt locked. and
Sauambo kept the key. It was impossible TO
get out of the block house. and consequently to